COMMENT:In Shobogenzo chap. 73, Sanjushichi-bon-bodai-bunbo, Zen Master Dogen comments one by one on a traditional list of thirty-seven elements of the Buddha's enlightenment or awakening (bodhi).

Those thirty seven elements are listed in seven categories, with much duplication. Mindfulness and balance (smRti and samaadhi), for example, are included in each of the last four categories -- as Forces, Powers, Limbs of Awakening, and Branches of the Noble Path.

The seven categories in the order that Dogen lists them are as follows:

The eight branches of the path are the eight that the Buddha has just enumerated in the previous Canto (see verses 16.30 to 16.37).

Listing the seven limbs causes me to reflect that many a boy's education at a 20th century British secondary school covered very well nos. (1) through (3) -- i.e. scientific investigation of the world, manly effort, and enjoyment. But on confidence, detachment, balance and mindfulness, many of us remain in need of a lot of further work.

EH Johnston:Then taking the sharp weapon of the constituents of enlightenment and standing on the excellent chariot of right efforts, with an army containing the elephants of the constituents of the Path, gradually he pierced the battle-line of the vices.

Linda Covill:Holding the sharp weapon of the constituents of enlightenment, and standing on the excellent chariot of well-directed effort, with his army which consisted of the elephants of the constituents of the path, he gradually penetrated the ranks of the defilements.

samyak: mfn. going along with or together , turned together or in one direction , combined , united ; lying in one direction , forming one line (as foot steps) ; correct , accurate , proper , true , rightpradhaana: n. a chief thing or person , the most important or essential part of anything; " the Originator " , primary germ , original source of the visible or material universe ; the first companion or attendant of a king ; an elephant-driver uttama: highest, uppermost, best, excellentvaahana: chariotsthaH (nom. sg. m.): standing in